Simon Mayo announces departure from BBC Radio 2

LUCY MAPSTONE

Simon Mayo is leaving BBC Radio 2, and the Drivetime show he hosts with Jo Whiley will come to an end.

The DJ had hosted the 5-7pm slot on the station since 2010, but was joined by Whiley for an extended 5-8pm edition in a shake-up to the schedule earlier this year.

The move was met with criticism from listeners, and Radio 2 was forced to issue a response following the backlash, asking fans to let the show “settle” and to “give it a chance”.

Mayo said he is “sad to leave the show, sad to leave Jo, sad to leave Wogan house” in a series of messages on Twitter, adding that he thought he would be “dragged out aged 120” from the building, the home of Radio 2.

He added: “But circumstances change...

“Juggling my writing and radio has become increasingly tricky (a nice problem to have). I’ve just signed a new 2 book deal with the nice folk at Transworld and they’ll be expecting something half decent before too long.

“On top of that my Itch books are about to be filmed for television in Australia and the work turning Mad Blood Stirring into a movie continues apace.

“I know, I know, I’m as surprised at this turn of events as you. But at my grand old age to be setting off on these brand new trails is enormous fun. And all the more so for being so unexpected. There are, however, only so many hours in a day.”